Page 83 of To Have and To Hold

Thirty

Isabella

Horace opened the door, and I leapt forward. My body crashed against Em’s. I wrapped my arms around his shoulders and buried my face against his chest. The sound of his beating heart and the sensation of his arms holding my body against his calmed my spiked blood pressure. “You’re alive,” I managed to say through a new shower of tears.

Em cupped my cheeks and brought our lips together. Warmth radiated through my body from my head to my toes. It was the sensation I needed, an addiction I had only begun. Without thinking, I climbed higher, wrapping my legs around his torso and holding on to his broad shoulders. Em’s hand went to my behind, holding me in place.

I leaned back, ending our kiss as I palmed his smooth cheeks. “You’re alive.”

He teased stray strands of hair away from my face. “Sí, my love. I am alive.”

My heart melted as I stared into his dark brown orbs. “I’ve been so scared. I love you, Emiliano. Don’t leave me.”

Horace cleared his throat.

Em’s grin quirked as he set me back on my feet. He held tightly to my hand. “Horace, I’m relieving you of your duty to Miss Luciano. You may pick her up Monday morning atel Patr?n’s, unless you’re advised of another location.” He looked down at the LA Lakers t-shirt. “Where are your clothes?”

“They’re in the room where I was supposed to sleep.”

“Lieutenant,” Horace said. “I must urge you to reconsider. Miss Luciano’s family…the famiglia...this is unprecedented.”

“I promise you, Horace, I will take care of my fiancée. On Monday, if you pick her up, she will be Señora Ruiz.”

My breath caught and my eyes opened wide. “This weekend?”

“Unless you object.”

Holy shit.

I quickly shook my head. “I don’t object.” I squeezed Em’s hand. “Come with me to get my clothes. I don’t want to let you out of my sight.”

He followed me into the tiny bedroom, closed the door and crossed his arms over his wide chest. The fresh scent of his cologne and bodywash filled my senses. His smile grew as his gaze lingered, devouring me inch by inch. “Had you been told we had permission to marry?”

“I found out this afternoon. My mother called.”

He quirked an eyebrow. “I imagine that she’s thrilled.”

“I wouldn’t exactly use that word.”

“My parents are happy.”

“They are?” I asked.

He nodded. “My mom wants me happy and has thought I should have married a long time ago. My father has accepted two of his daughters marrying into the famiglia. He worries less about the alliance than anyone else.”

“Why didn’t you—marry a long time ago?”

“Because I was waiting for you.”

Warmth radiated through my circulation as I gathered my clothes. “Are you taking me to Mia’s?”

He reached out.

Leaving the clothes on the bed, I went to him, placing my hands in his.

His deep timbre was slow. “Isabella, tonight was intense.”

I nodded.

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